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Julian Edelman says that playing for the New England Patriots 'has been a dream,' but notes that decision to return could 'sway' one way or another

Julian Edelman

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) takes part in a stretching and drills session before practice begins at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. The Patriots will play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
(AP)

One of the bigger decisions the New England Patriots will face this offseason centers on how to move forward with Julian Edelman.

After spending the last several seasons serving under slot receiver Wes Welker, Edelman returned to the Patriots last offseason on minimum deal and broke out by catching 105 passes for 1,056 yards. Now set to reach free agency again, New England needs to decide if it’s worth doubling up on slot receivers with Danny Amendola already in the fold or if Edelman is too valuable to let walk away.

Whatever the choice, it’s almost certain that Edelman will be able to cash in for the first time in his career. But while speaking on 98.5 The Sports Hub Thursday, the wide receiver said he hasn’t had time to weigh his own options.

“I haven’t even sat down with my agents and discussed that yet,” he said. “Going forward, I’m going to sit down and discuss what I want and we’ll come up with a plan.

“Playing for New England is a dream, but like you said, there’s a short window in this sport. I don’t know yet. There’s a lot of things that can happen going forward that could sway that one way or another. Hopefully it all works out in favor for both.”

Edelman was then asked if he was afraid that he was going to be undervalued this offseason due to being labeled “slot receiver.” While he admitted that slots are undervalued around the league, he doesn’t believe that he fits in that box.

“I played 51 percent of the snaps outside, though,” Edelman said. “But you can go ahead and call me a slot as well.”